Monday, April 22, 1861.Washington, DC.
| Around 11 a.m., approximately "twenty . . . highly respectable
citizens of Baltimore" arrive at the White House to meet with President
Lincoln. The group requests that Lincoln "not . . . bring troops through
Maryland at this time." Lincoln responds that his goal is to "secure this
Capitol to the Government, and protect the lives of its citizens." A newspaper
reports, "While it is evident that it is the earnest desire of the President to
prevent bloodshed in Maryland, he is doubtless unflinchingly determined that,
forcibly, if necessary, the communication of this city with the progressing
bodies of troops coming to its relief shall be kept open." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 22 April 1861, 3:6; National Republican (Washington, DC), 23 April 1861, 2:2;
Reply to Baltimore Committee, 22
April 1861, CW, 4:341-42. Lincoln surprised at resignation of Col. Magruder who three days ago
expressed loyalty. Nicolay, Lincoln's Secretary, 95.
Cassius M. Clay, wearing three pistols and "Arkansas toothpick" (Bowie knife),
calls on Lincoln. Sec. Chase complains to President about everybody issuing
orders. Hay, Letters and
Diary. Lincoln instructs Sec. Seward to inform Gov.
Hicks (Md.) that domestic matters will not be referred to foreign arbitrament.
Henry J. Raymond, The Life and Public Services of
Abraham Lincoln . . . Together with his State Papers, including his Speeches,
Addresses, Messages, Letters, and Proclamations and the Closing Scenes
Connected with his Life and Death (New York: Derby & Miller, 1865),
175;
Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and
George W. Brown, 20 April 1861, CW, 4:341. Cabinet meeting 3
P.M. Nicolay to Welles, 22 April 1861, Gideon Welles Papers,
Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Former Cong. Henry W.
Davis (Md.) interviews President and members of cabinet on problems of peace.
Baltimore Sun, 24 April 1861. Henry Villard,
speaking for James Gordon Bennett, founder of New York "Herald," informs
President and Chase that Bennett will back administration unconditionally and
offers son's yacht as gift to government revenue service. Henry Villard, Memoirs of Henry Villard, 2 vols.
(Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1904), 1:162. Deputation of 16
Virginians and 8 Marylanders visits Executive Mansion and demands cessation of
hostilities until Congress convenes. N.Y.
Times, 27 April 1861. President confers with Gen. Scott
in driveway of Executive Mansion to save his gouty visitor pain of climbing
stairs. Margaret Leech, Reveille in Washington
1860-1865 (New York: Harper, 1941), 62. |